Police: Springfield man has stolen iPhones, identities

Police say a Springfield man was charged with a a slew of crimes Friday including burglary, forgery and trafficking in stolen identities.

According to court documents, Mark Long, 24, entered a Springfield Walmart on Dec. 31, 2014 and walked into a restricted area, where he allegedly stole two iPhones before exiting.

A loss prevention employee provided a security video of the alleged theft to Springfield police. Court documents say the officer who reviewed the video had personally met Long before, as well as a woman with him, identified as Amanda Webb.

Two days later, on Jan. 2, 2015, a police officer made contact with Long due to “erratic behavior and possible stimulant use,” according to court documents. Long initially identified himself as “James” according to the officer.

During a frisk, the officer felt an item he believed to be a syringe, and Long confirmed that it was, according to court documents.

Police say the officer then obtained consent to search Long’s person, and found drug paraphernalia, a spoon and a scale. Long allegedly admitted the items were for illegal drug use.

Upon searching Long’s wallet, the officer found several credit cards with the name “Greg Nutting” on them, according to court documents.

Police say upon contact with Nutting, he claimed he did not know Long, and later discovered that credit and debit cards, $220 in cash, a jacket and gift cards had been stolen from his office at Maschino’s, according to court documents.

While inventorying Long’s property at Greene County Jail, the officer found a blank check belonging to Maschino’s and signed by Nutting, a receipt from O’Reilly’s with Nutting’s name allegedly forged on it, gift cards allegedly belonging to Nutting, and $161.86 in cash, according to court documents.

Police say Long admitted that Nutting was his girlfriend’s stepfather, and that he had allegedly received the stolen property, along with half a gram of methamphetamine, from people who owed him money.

On Jan. 12, 2015, court documents say Webb was being treated at a medical clinic, accompanied by Long. At some point Long left the exam room, saying that he had to use the restroom, according to court documents.

During this time, police say employee Dawn Mitchell’s office was entered, and her iPhone and $40 in cash allegedly stolen from her purse. Court documents say Mitchell found her pink phone case in the toilet that Long used during the visit.

Mitchell used an app to locate her iPhone and discovered it was at the home of Matthew Stephens, according to court documents. Stephens told police that he regularly purchased cell phones on the Internet, and recalled purchasing one from a man on Jan. 12.

Police say Stephens was shown a photo lineup and selected Long without hesitation as the man who allegedly sold him the phone.

The bond recommendation from the Greene County Prosecutor states that Long has several pending probation violation cases with a total bond amount of $100,000. His bond for the April 3 charges was set at $150,000, bringing his total hold to $250,000.